The US is taking some time to reevaluate and rethink its policies in the war in Afghanistan. The reevaluation is necessary largely because of the failed offensive in Marjah. The Taliban has gotten bolder in its statements because they now feel that they are winning the war. The Kandahar offensive will not even be called an offensive but will be known as a “Partnershiip Operation.”
The primary objective of the operation will be civil reconstruction, rather than an military type of operation. The main focus is to make the war not appear to be a war. We have obviously learned some lessons from our war in Iraq and we are giving a lot of esteem to the concerns of the civilian population. When they are comfortable with us they are an invaluable help in fighting terrorists.
The frontal assault type of tactic did not work well in Marjah at all so this time we will get as far away from it as possible. It will be difficult to sell this soft approach to the custom military ring customer who is a combat veteran and used to hard fighting.
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